Why would anybody buy a Z4 or an SLK?

"TeenageCarNut" (1995lexusls400)
08/05/2015 at 13:46 • Filed to: None

Makes no sense to me. So many cars are better around that price range.

Mustang GT premiums, Corvettes, Boxters, Caymans, even the damn 4C is in that price range. With this in mind, why is anybody buying these clearly inferior cars?

DISCUSSION (34)

For Sweden > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:49

Golf

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:49

The Z4 just looks good to me. (On some days even better than the 4C) and the Z4 isn’t practical at all and doesn’t make sense to me for what they’re charging. BUT I LOVE HOW THEY LOOK. DON’T KNOW WHY.

CB > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:50

Because they want a Z4 or an SLK?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:50

The Corvette is living proof that people spend a lot of money on cars and don’t buy the best bang for your buck performance.

It’s stupid, but it’s about saying you have BMW or MB, it’s not about the fact that the Corvette kicks their ass.

(for the record I’m 100% on your side here)

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:50

Because people that buy those cars are old

Aaron M - MasoFiST > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:57

The Z4 and the SLK both allow you to:

a) Drive for 3-5 hours without your ass going numb

b) Carry luggage

c) Not be in a Ford

None of the cars you’ve listed do all three of these things.

CB > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
08/05/2015 at 13:59

Plus Clive Owen drove a Miata, and a man that dashing has to be right.

Milky > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 13:59

Hard top / practicality. I’ve been debating “$30k sports car” for my next purchase and a used Z4 just looks so good and the hard top would be great for Michigan winters.

I don't really care that a C6 or new Mustang GT is faster.

TractorPillow > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 14:04

Because they like BMW

Because they like Mercedes.

Because a mustang is what all the cheerleaders drove in high school.

Because, by law, you must be a “dad” to own a corvette.

Because you don’t like Porsche.

Because you don’t live anywhere near an Alfa dealer and know you’ll need it.

But most importantly, because they freakin’ want to. Very few people make rational/logical choices when it comes to cars. You buy what you like, regardless of what teenage “car nuts” might say.

Since buying my first car after colleges 5 years ago I have been judged for every car I have bought, but I can guarantee I’ve enjoyed each one more than anyone doing the judging.

Don't be a oppo-hipster and hate on cars just cause they don't have the enthusiast seal of approval (coming from someone who has had some pretty oppo-tastic cars).

DoYouEvenShift > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 14:13

I assume men buy them for their wives, you know, “Buy me a cute car”

DoYouEvenShift > Aaron M - MasoFiST
08/05/2015 at 14:15

I have done that exact thing in a Corvette

Tripper > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/05/2015 at 14:19

Just because some people don’t buy Corvette’s over German sports cars, does not mean that they did so for brand recognition.

There is a Corvette in my family (C5) and I drive it from time to time. It’s an amazing machine, but not very usable as a daily driver. It’s really wide, low to the ground, and the front end scrapes on everything if your not super careful. They only seat two and there is barely any room for cargo.

Sure there are people that will buy a nazi sled just because it’s fancy, but most of those people are not car enthusiasts. The sportier models from the Germans are excellent all arounder’s as are the CTS/ATS V’s. They are also nearly as good as the Vette at going round a track.

Tripper > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 14:20

Neither car is for me but I can see why people like them. My dentist always buys cars like the two mentioned.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Tripper
08/05/2015 at 14:22

Whoa hold on.

He directly compared people buying Z4’s and SLK’s saying why not buy a Corvette (among others). The Z4 and SLK don’t have any more seats or drastically more cargo room than a Vette.

Which means people are not buying for outright performance for dollar.

Which is what I said above. And the Z4 and SLK aren’t any better around the track.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 14:23

You could argue that I should have an iPhone because it’s better in every way than my similarly priced HTC One. But the facti is I wanted an HTC One, so all your arguments would be invalid. This is how it works with many cars, including the Z4 and SLK.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > TractorPillow
08/05/2015 at 14:25

Preach it!!!!

E92M3 > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 14:26

Cause they are “cute”. They are mostly bought by females. I don’t know any female that would want to get in and out of an Alpha 4C everyday. Mustangs and Corvettes are seen as “guy cars” by most women.

Tripper > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/05/2015 at 14:34

Neither the SLK or Z4 are comparable to a Corvette in anyway other than the fact that they both only have 2 seats and no room for anything, which is why I stuck in two models that are comparable. Maybe it means they aren’t buying for performance/dollar, but it does not mean they are buying it for brand recognition either.

TractorPillow > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
08/05/2015 at 14:48

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 14:57

Because the Z4 is better, so long as you get the right one. Pro Tip: If it has a power retractable hardtop, it’s likely not that good.

Kinja'd!!!

Mercedes Streeter > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/05/2015 at 15:05

Yeah, but if everyone just bought the best “bang for your buck” car, everyone would be driving Corvettes and GT-Rs. The cool thing about variety is that while the car may not be the final word in performance, it may offer other things to draw you in. Maybe you *really* like how it looks, the story behind how the car came to fruition, it’s reliability, features, etc. etc.

I drive what most people would call a PoS. I didn’t buy it because of the brand recognition (because damn, Mercedes be expensive!) and I wouldn’t care if it were made even by Kia.

Mercedes Streeter > DoYouEvenShift
08/05/2015 at 15:06

Starred, because I love that user handle. xD

Mercedes Streeter > E92M3
08/05/2015 at 15:09

I would love to drive a 4C. I’d daily drive the crap out of one. Hell, screw the Boxster, get me the seat of a 911 GT3 RS.

FromCanadaWithLove > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 15:14

When I picked up my 2 Series, the dealer tried to show me a Z4 28i they had on the lot. It costed more than a new M235i, had the old NA 6 cylinder (slower), and barely any options. They wanted almost 10k more than a base M235i. Now with the convertible 2 and 4 Series, the Z4 makes even less sense.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > TeenageCarNut
08/05/2015 at 15:18

Well as far as I know, no one does buy them sooooooo

Actually, my neighbor (for some reason) bought an SLK250 a few months ago. However, I'm guessing it was solely because they like Merc's (they also have a C-class and an ML).

Mercedes Streeter > DoYouEvenShift
08/05/2015 at 15:52

“Buy me an Aztec” Said no woman...ever... :D

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Tripper
08/05/2015 at 16:50

Normally people refer to the Vette as being the “poor man’s sports car” they don’t see it as luxury sports, just sports.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Mercedes Streeter
08/05/2015 at 16:56

Well, I will tell you the majority of the time you run into someone who paid more money than what the vette cost for a 2 seater sports car it’s because they thought it would be nicer inside or they wanted the brand recognition. Because you don’t buy based off brand recognition doesn’t mean a large portion of buyers don’t.

My experience in Automotive Advertising tells me the BMW and MB logo is worth a LOT to people.

Mercedes Streeter > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/05/2015 at 17:07

Oh I totally agree! Also, the Corvette gives those other brands a reason to be better (the same for the Corvette too). I mean damn, the C7 looks good, goes like hell, and undercuts the Europeans.

My problem is just the OP’s line of thinking where everyone should just drive the best of the best. Which also ignores the fact that the “best” cars seem to vary by region too.

E92M3 > Mercedes Streeter
08/05/2015 at 18:13

I was about to point out I said “women”, then I realized you’re female. Lol I wouldn’t daily a 4C or an Elise, but I would a GT3 RS.

Mercedes Streeter > E92M3
08/05/2015 at 18:16

I must be a masochist, I daily a smart (and drive it 30k a year) and would totally daily any super uncomfortable car :D

E92M3 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
08/05/2015 at 19:23

I would never argue an iPhone is better than an HTC or Samsung device.

E92M3 > Mercedes Streeter
08/05/2015 at 19:24

You must be!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Mercedes Streeter
08/06/2015 at 08:56

Alright I think we’re back on the same page now!

That Euro competition is why the Corvette has been working to have a nicer interior, and less parts out of the bin that you can find in an economy car Chevy. When you pay that much you don’t want to feel like you’re in a $14,000 car with a nice engine.